Spain: Violence against police costs state over 417 million euros annually

A study by Universidad Nebrija titled ‘The cost of violence against Police and Civil Guard agents in Spain’ estimates that assaults on state security forces generated a direct cost of 417,154,281 euros for the Spanish state in 2021.

Police investigations resulting from these assaults represent more than 83% of the estimated direct economic cost, totaling nearly 348 million euros annually. Beyond physical and psychological impacts on officers, the violence imposes a significant burden on public accounts by mobilizing health, police, and judicial resources over extended periods.

The issue has gained institutional relevance in Europe. In May 2025, the European Parliament’s Committee on Petitions conducted a mission to Algeciras and Barbate to analyze risks to agents and the broader consequences of police violence for public security and the economic environment. Additionally, a March 2026 report from the European Parliament's Research Service highlighted the high-risk nature of the profession, noting that agents face physical and verbal threats capable of causing lasting damage.